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Sustainability reporting landscape is evolving rapidly due to the expanding legislation worldwide. The new Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive is challenging European companies to restructure their business models and processes and to enhance their corporate reporting. Considering the increasing number of reporting requirements, this paper aims at providing critical analysis of the current employers- demand on sustainability competences needed for setting up the relevant reporting processes. The empirical...

By elaborating this article, the authors wanted to present the situation of expenses incurred performed for the protection of the environment from Romania. The authors try to underline the fact that they have improved in recent years, against the background of the increase of the available funds, due to the economic growth and implicitly the revenues from state budget. A priority under all aspects must be the protection of the environment and those ways of protecting the Earth's resources for the following generat...

In the current energetical context, there is a need to diversify energetically independent applications. The presence of energetically independent vending systems is necessary in the smart cities of the future and beyond. Energetically independent vending equipment must ensure the delivery of cold or hot products with low energy consumption. Reduced energy consumption and the use of environmentally friendly sources lead to reduced greenhouse gas emissions and at the same time to higher energy autonomy. The paper p...

Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP) belong to the so-called -critical infrastructure-, which are so essential that their continued operation is required to ensure the security of a people. Energy is the most important operating utilities of WWTP. The specific electric energy consumption of WWTP depending on many factors including the inflow quality, WWTP-s scale, the technology used and climate. High energy consumption indirectly produces ecological damage, accelerates the energy crisis, and increases carbon emissi...

Risks are present in all economic and industrial activities that manifest themselves both through economic losses, malfunctions of installations and equipment, as well as the occurrence of minor or major accidents with particularly serious consequences resulting in deaths and injuries, pollution of the environment. The assessment of risk levels stimulates the co-interest of economic operators to improve their working and environmental conditions, respectively to take measures to move from high risk levels to lower...

The present paper aims to mark the current status of knowledge regarding the area of the Town of Sozopol (ancient Apollonia Pontica) and its future research. The combination of geological and geomorphological data with the acquired archaeological and historical information can restore the ancient landscape of the study area. The research is focused on the landscape of Sozopol and its surroundings, due to it being among the most important areas in the history of the Western Black Sea. A mechanism for the formation ...

The result of determining the quantitative relationship between the temperature and humidity of enrichment waste materials based on the analysis of digital photographs of laboratory experiments using RGB and Lab methods is presented. Using standard equipment, a laboratory experiment was performed to determine the temperature and humidity of samples of the tailing dam surface layer. Digital photographs of the samples were taken in natural light. The images were processed on a computer to obtain the components value...

The removal and collection of dust particles from the air discharged into the atmosphere by industrial plants processing, transporting and storing dusty materials is an important objective for employers to prevent air pollution according to environmental legislation and employee safety regulations. Where the dust in question is flammable and may generate an explosive atmosphere, measures must be taken to prevent explosion and/or limit the effects of explosion. To this end, proper assessment of the risk of explosio...

Marine litter is a significant and growing environmental problem with global implications, affecting oceans and seas. This study analyzes marine litter's composition and density, specifically at Kamchiya-Shkorpilovtsi, the longest beach on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast. The monitoring period from 2018 to 2022 covers an area of 7645 m2. To effectively study the area, it was divided into four monitoring transects: Kamchiya- Mouth, Kamchiya-South (Novo Oryahovo Beach), Shkorpilovtsi, and Shkorpilovtsi- South. During ...

Biochar is a highly porous pyrolysis product with a high specific surface area and adsorption properties, capable of adsorbing various compounds and formations, including ARG-containing MGEs. To assess the ability of biochar to adsorb MGE, a model experiment was carried out: in sterill flasks, the microbial community isolated from composts was cultivated on LB-medium, oxytetracycline and a mixture of heavy metals were added as factors potentially stimulating the production of MGE. Neither heavy metals nor oxytetra...

Dematerialization of local governments and environmental economics go hand in hand in pursuing sustainable development and environmental protection. Dematerialization, a concept in environmental economics, refers to reducing material consumption enabling economic growth without a commensurate increase in content consumption and associated environmental impacts [2]. This tendency to do more with less is essential to the municipalities' environmental economy. Advances in technology and the digital skills of municipa...

Albania is part of one of the most active seismic regions in Europe with dozens of devastating earthquakes throughout history. In this study, we will present an investigation of the earthquakes of the Elbasani region, in terms of the location accuracy and analysis of the features of the seismoactive layers. The distribution of focal depth shows the activation of a lithospheric zone, which extends in depth between 0 and 40 km. Accurate assessment of seismoactive layers of the Elbasani zone is of great interest in t...

In this study, a rapid compression machine (RCM) was used to study the traditional JP- 5 fuel and the JP-5 surrogate. In the experiment, the ignition delay characteristics with low-to-intermediate temperature compression temperatures ranging from 675-800K, compression pressures of 10, 15 and 20bar, and equivalence ratios of 0.25 and 0.37 are discussed. Among them, the auto-ignition delay time of JP-5 and the surrogate all shorten the ignition delay time as the compression pressure and equivalence ratio increases, ...

The significance of analog studies using lava tubes on Earth to inform on the design of future lunar and Martian missions is aimed at exploring and utilising those structures as potential habitats on those planetary bodies. Lava tubes, natural subsurface cavities formed by volcanic activity, have several characteristics that make them appealing for human habitation on the Moon and Mars. Researchers conducting analog studies on Earth can gain valuable insights into the geological, environmental, engineering, crew a...

The effect of climate change on current life is becoming more visible daily. Our capacity to be resilient to these changes is an act of responsibility for the future. Several directions could serve this purpose. The present study aims to determine the current state of the art in unconventional energy sources. Mainly, the focus will be on biomass. Biopower sources are an element of renewable energy alternatives, along with solar, wind, tide, wave, ocean, and geothermal. The statistics underline an increasing trend ...

The Black Sea exhibits significant potential for the development of substantial gas hydrate reserves, primarily due to its low salinity, extensive sedimentary complexity, and the presence of vast deep-sea buried paleodeltas. Recent geophysical and geochemical studies carried out as part of European and national projects have yielded valuable data and outcomes, serving as the basis for a reassessment of gas hydrates in the Black Sea. This research aims to provide an updated estimation of the Black Sea gas hydrate r...

For most soils, genetic inheritance is the determining factor of heavy metal abundance. The anthropogenic impact on the soil produced by fertilizers, pesticides, zootechnical residues, wastewater or particles brought to the soil by gaseous emissions, brings important quantities of heavy metals into the soil. Among these, the most toxic are Cd and Pb. The aim of the study was to establish the levels of Cd and Pb in soil and Beta vulgaris roots, sampled from eight locations from Tarnaveni area, an industrial center ...

The use of hydrogen as a fuel requires as much research as possible on the construction and functional parameters for the development of appropriate burners. The researches undertaken are addressed to diffuse flame burners with concentric jets of fuel and air. These burners cannot lead to flame return, the combustion being much safer, than for the case of burners with fuel-air mixture. The researches were carried out by numerical modeling through the ANSYS-FLUENT V.14.0 software. An important stage of the research...

A comparative analysis has been carried out on a set of indicators of two ways of recycling glass containers - collecting in retail stores and fast washing of containers at beverage bottling plants and processing into cullet, taking into consideration the whole life cycle of glassware production, use, recycling and utilization. Methods of systematization and statistical generalization were applied for comparative analysis. The specified work was based on data, that were received from various glass manufacturing en...

Soil contamination by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) is a widespread concern due to the high potential for human exposure through inhalation, ingestion, and dermal contact. In this study, we compared the efficiency of three different methods for PAHs extraction from model samples, including ultrasonic (US), mechanical shaking and purification with commercial QuEChERS kit (Shq), and ultrasonic extraction coupled with QuEChERS (USq) by gas chromatography coupled to a triple quadrupole tandem mass-spectromet...

An assessment of processes in forest stands requires the monitoring of many parameters. The annual dynamics and composition of precipitation show the impact of atmospheric depositions on ecosystems. Throughfall depositions play a significant role not only in the dynamics of canopy processes but also influence soil conditions through the interception processes and element changes in canopies. The study was carried out in two permanent sample plots located at different altitudes in the Western Stara Planina in Bulga...

This paper presents the starting phase of a research project that aims to develop the technological demonstrator of a wind power generator system using a wind sail to capture the high altitude wind energy. The sail will capture the wind energy and will be raised to an altitude of minimum 100-200 meters to capture the stronger and more constant winds at this altitude. Flight attitude control will be done via an active control hub named WCU (Wing Control Unit) attached to the cable at about 10m from the sail. The gr...

In the energy field hydrogen will be more obvious to use by certain technologies than by direct combustion. The paper presents a conceptual analysis on the use of hydrogen by hydrogen by hydrogenation of carbon dioxide with final product methane, by hydrogenation of carbon dioxide, with the final product of methanol and by injection in certain proportions into the natural gas network. A new application of carbon dioxide hydrogenation is the decarbonisation of flue gases. To this end, conceptual analyses have been ...

The purpose of this study is to shed light on the question of what the possible consequences will be on people and the building stock of a strong earthquake for the city of Varna. A seismic risk assessment methodology is used, which was approved by the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works of the Republic of Bulgaria. The seismic impact is determined based on a detailed deterministic study of the seismic hazard. Initially, an assessment of the seismic vulnerability of the building stock is made based o...

Rapid development of the Spa and Wellness sector creates new opportunities for companies in the sector, but at the same time also new challenges. Sustainable development of the sector from both the environmental, economic, and social aspects is an important factor for the further success of the sector. The Spa and Wellness sector is a labor-intensive sector of the service industry, where the employees- impact on customer satisfaction is crucial. For employees to be able to successfully ensure the quality of servic...

Rock typing is an essential tool for reservoir characterization and management in the petroleum industry. It is the process of grouping portions of a rock sample based on their physical and chemical properties. This process is currently done by experts in the industry, which consumes valuable industry resources. Precise and efficient rock typing can build accurate geological models, optimize exploration and production strategies, and reduce exploration and production risks. This work proposes a deep learning metho...

The research examines creativity as an important factor in the production of ecological products and the promotion of sustainable development in the regional economy. The research aims to examine how to promote creativity in the regional economy, what tools should be implemented to develop creativity in individuals, and how creativity is associated with overall prosperity and economic growth in the country. Nowadays, the problems of exploiting natural resources and management of constrained natural resources in th...

The serious demographic crisis in rural areas of the country poses great challenges to the implementation of the strategic plan for the development of agriculture and rural areas for the period 2023-2027. This determines the purpose of the publication, namely to develop and build scenarios based on them to make recommendations regarding the need for urgent, complex and non-traditional measures to overcome the demographic crisis. The estimated values of the indicators were used to prepare the scenarios: the birth r...

The Arctic Seas are of particular interest now in connection with the prospects for their development. At the same time, the construction of critical and industrial infrastructure at sea must be preceded by a thorough assessment of possible geohazards, including dangerous landforms, earthquakes, geofluid outflows, marine landslides, soil liquefaction, tsunamis, etc. The purpose of the study is to highlight various seismological applications of the records obtained recently in the Laptev Sea and other Arctic Seas o...

The transition to sustainable pathways of economic development depends on the clear understanding of the sustainability principles, but it also needs ability to evaluate critically conventional professional practices and rethink them into sustainable one. However, the previous years of struggling for economic transformations have showed a serious issue - lack of action competence when it comes to the implementation of the sustainable solutions. The design thinking is a core of professional competency and high perf...

The analysis of the dynamic and fractal properties of the released seismic energy time series allows for the classification of the seismotectonic system that produces earthquakes as a deterministic-chaotic system. The dynamics of such systems suggests that relatively small changes can lead to significant (with one or more order large) jumps. At the same time, the size of these jumps and the intervals of time that separate them are irregular, and the possibilities for their prediction are limited or absent. In this...

This publication evaluates the yield of waste biomass from wheat and sunflower for the period 2008-2019. The method of regional factor analysis (RFSA) is applied, through which it is tracked in which direction and to what extent the raw material potential of straw is changing and sunflower stalks necessary for the development of the regional bioeconomy in the six planning regions of the country. It is emphasized that the use of waste biomass from plant substances does not lead to climate deterioration, which is a ...

The article delves into the prevalent misconceptions surrounding animals and their interactions with humans in Romania, with the primary goal of fostering a more accurate understanding and dispelling commonly held myths. A widespread misconception among many individuals is the erroneous belief that all animals inherently pose harm or threats when encountering humans. Our aim is to illuminate the reality that animals exhibit diverse behaviors and intentions, and in most cases, they prefer to avoid confrontations wi...

Ponicka Cave, situated in central Slovakia, is a natural wonder, known for its stunning stalagmites, stalactites, and underground lakes. This unique cave system has a hydrological connection to the Earth's surface, representing a very vulnerable habitat. Long-lasting intensive livestock grazing in the aquifer area of Ponicka cave and insufficiently insulated manure dump were the main reasons for the contamination of this cave. Soil nematodes are the most abundant multicellular organisms on Earth with respect to bo...

The paper considers processes of ore formation. This concerns complex dynamic natural objects, depending on polygenic geological phenomena, mutually interacting and forming a single mineral formation environment. Development of ore-forming systems is connected not only with the natural evolution of thermodynamic parameters, but also with physical-chemical properties and composition of ore-bearing deposits, state and character of manifestation of tectonic structures, such as field strength, degree of tectonic trans...

The paper presents a new approach to the design and development of textile woven structures with copper yarn content intended for heating systems. Copper is known for its high electrical conductivity, meaning it can easily transfer electrical energy through its surface. This makes copper yarns ideal for heating applications, as they can quickly and efficiently transfer heat to the surrounding environment. In addition to their electrical properties, copper yarns also have good thermal conductivity, which means that...

Nowadays, there is increased interest in valuing energies that are often unused. This phenomenon is called energy harvesting. Thermoelectric generators are often used to -harvest- thermal energy and to transform it into electrical energy. In the preliminary study presented in this paper have the purpose to use thermoelectric elements to capitalize thermal energy release outdoor by the air conditioning equipment. The results of experimental research showed a mean temperature difference (?t) of 50-C between the hot ...

The issue of energy self-sufficiency is currently crucial. The concept of energy selfsufficiency is closely related to the concept of energy security; yet, there are many definitions for the term energy security. The essence of all of them is for a country to secure enough energy resources to cover its needs. If a country can secure these resources on its own without depending on imports from other countries, one refers to energy self-sufficiency. Energy self-sufficiency can be achieved in a number of ways such as...

The objective of the circular economy is to definitively change the way in which we produce and consume, it consists of doing more with less, and it brings us back to simplicity, trying to break the dependence: production-consumption of raw materials, making the most of each material and extending its useful life. Through eco-design, it seeks to generate circular products that allow the easy separation of all materials, providing new ways of their management and processing to avoid elimination at the end of their ...

This study quantifies the elemental composition of soil, vegetation, and the level of trace elements in coals to identify the impacts associated with coal mining practices in the Longyearbyen and Barentsburg settlements, the Svalbard archipelago. The analysis is based on a data set that includes 26 chemical elements measured in 74 soil, 29 vegetation, and 4 coal samples provided by a catena-based survey strategy. The concentrations of lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), chromium (Cr), and vanadium (V) ...

This paper analyses the environmental impact produced by fish and meat canneries. The TULCO SA factory in Tulcea County is presented as a case study. Located on the Danube banks, it has a guaranteed and permanent source of fish and meat; fish from the Danube and fish farmers and pork and beef meat from a nearby breeding complex. Some specific analyzes of the impact on wastewater, air, and soils are illustrated. Impact on wastewater is detailed for the production of canned fish and pork and cattle meat, at differen...

The Mushroom Training and Resource Centre (MTRC) is an organization aimed at helping to improve the standard of living for current and future generations of rural residents in Uganda through mushroom cultivation and sales. This community organization was established in 2007 with the primary objective of teaching people from marginalized rural areas how to cultivate the oyster mushroom in a simple and sustainable manner. The fungi are grown on agricultural plant waste, which is transformed into valuable food. The p...

The article presents the creation of an experimental model of a hybrid vehicle intended to work both in conventional environments, in which the use of a diesel engine is permitted, and in environments with pollution restrictions (noxious emissions), in which an electric motor powered by batteries is used. At the level of the experimental model, the chassis of the drive train was made and tested, and the results were compared with those obtained by simulation with AMESim. The equipment in the NRMM (non-road mobile ...

Surfactants play an important role in enhanced oil recovery by creating an oil-water emulsion that will be easier to recover from the reservoir. It is known that sulfatereducing bacteria (SRB) can use surfactants as a carbon source, which can increase the biological accumulation of sulfides and, accordingly, the corrosion of oil production equipment. Thus, all new surfactants used in oil production need to be pre-tested for SRB. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of four new groups of synthesized sur...

The paper-s purpose is to quantify the measurement consequences in the purge test of equipment protected with the -p- type of protection. In order to achieve this objective, the authors involved a simulation process for a pressurization enclosure. The simulation was conducted, in the first stage, without measurement to obtain a reference after that simulation was conducted for scenarios involving sampling separately for each measurement point. The first part of the paper presented the risks of explosion and pressu...

Following the EC directives and corresponding National regulations under approval, the possibilities for deployment of marine energy conversion farms have been considered, with a focus on the floating wind generators as one of the most promising applications and advantages. The specifics of local climate, hydrology and geography along the Bulgarian Black Sea coast have been analyzed, based on long-term surveys, and three potential areas of deployment were recommended, keeping in mind restrictions imposed by the Na...

The purpose of the analysis is to interpret and conceptualize key features and changes of the Arabian monarchies oil policy, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain. These countries, with the leading role of Saudi Arabia, largely determine the oil policy of the countries of the OPEC+ alliance. Today, the problem of protecting the economic interests of developing oil-exporting countries in the conditions of instability of the world economy and downward pressure on oil pr...

Chemically hazardous industrial accidents pose a serious risk to both people and the environment. Furthermore, these accidents affect sustainable progress and result in significant economic losses. However, several industrial sectors that are essential to a contemporary industrialized civilization must employ substantial volumes of hazardous chemicals. Measures are needed to prevent major accidents, as well as to ensure adequate preparation and response should such incidents occur, to reduce the risks associated w...

Agri-fodder value, i.e., the diversity of floristic composition of communal pastures in Romania is strongly affected by impropper management practiced for the last three decades. Most permanent grassland areas are excessively grazed in addition to the effect of climate change on the multiplication and development of plant species making up the grassy cover. Communal pastures are the most important source of feed for animal growers in the territorial administrative units (TAUs) of the Timis County. Their current st...

Volcanic sites on Earth provide valuable insights into the geological processes that shape our planet and can also serve as effective analogs for studying similar volcanic activity on other celestial bodies, such as the Moon. This work aims to discuss the general characterization of the Capelinhos volcanic site, in the archipelago of Azores in Portugal, showing the potential as a planetary analog. It-s barren landscape, covered with pyroclastic rocks can lend itself the purpose of becoming a lunar planetary analog...